Vaccinium plant named ‘CORABLUE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Vaccinium  spp. cultivar named ‘CORABLUE’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact plant habit, vigorous growth and glossy leaves. The new variety shows tolerance for a wide variety of soil moisture conditions, including drought. The new variety is a  Vaccinium,  and is normally used as an ornamental garden or landscape plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Vaccinium spp.

Variety denomination: ‘CORABLUE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar was discovered as a chance seedling, in a commercial nursery in Hawthorne, Fla. The inventor, David Dickerson, a citizen the United States, discovered the new variety as a seedling among several plants of the unpatented varieties, Vaccinium myrsinites and Vaccinium corymbosum. The new variety was discovered in May of 2006 by the inventor. After discovery the inventor observed and propagated the variety in the controlled environment of his nursery in Hawthorne Fla. After approximately 3 years of observation, the inventor noted characteristics of both Vaccinium myrsinites and Vaccinium corymbosum in the new variety. For this reason, the inventor believes, to the best of his knowledge, the new variety to be an inter-specific cross between Vaccinium myrsinites and Vaccinium corymbosum. This is not a known fact as the new variety is the result of a chance crossing rather than a controlled crossing.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘CORABLUE’ by vegetative cuttings was performed at the nursery in Hawthorne, Fla. in September of 2007. Vegetative reproduction by cuttings has produced multiple generations, and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type through successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘CORABLUE’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘CORABLUE.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘CORABLUE’ as a new and distinct Vaccinium spp. cultivar:

-   -   1. Compact plant habit, suitable for ornamental garden use.     -   2. Improved drought tolerance.     -   3. Improved soil moisture tolerance.     -   4. Unique glossy leaves.     -   5. Vigorous growth habit.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘CORABLUE’ are similar to plants of the parent variety Vaccinium corymbosum in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘CORABLUE’ form more compact plants, for improved ornamental garden performance. Additionally, the new variety tolerates drought better than the parent variety and has smaller, glossier leaves than Vaccinium corymbosum.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘CORABLUE’ are similar to plants of the parent variety Vaccinium myrsinites in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘CORABLUE’ have better moisture tolerance and more vigor. Additionally, the new variety has larger, glossier leaves than Vaccinium myrsinites.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

In addition to the parent varieties, ‘CORABLUE’ can also be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Vaccinium darrowii ‘Rosa's Blush.’ Plants of the new variety are similar to ‘Rosa's Blush’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, ‘CORABLUE’ has significantly more flexible stems than ‘Rosa's Blush, preventing unwanted breakage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical flowering plant of ‘CORABLUE’ grown outdoors in Hawthorne, Fla., with older, glossy dark green foliage. This plant is approximately 18 months old.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘CORABLUE’ with the characteristically red foliage color of the new growth.

The plant is approximately 1 year old. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘CORABLUE’ plants grown outdoors in Hawthorne, Fla. Year round temperature ranged from approximately 16 to 100° F., with naturally high light conditions. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types. No chemical or photoperiodic treatments were given.

-   Botanical classification: Vaccinium spp. ‘CORABLUE’ -   Age of plant described: Approximately 1 years old, planted in a 1     gallon container.

PROPAGATION

Typically from semi-hardwood juvenile cuttings.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Semi-upright deciduous woody perennial shrub. -   Height: Approximately 45 cm, from soil line. -   Plant spread: Approximately 60 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate to rapid. -   Branching characteristics: Free branching. -   Texture of lateral branches: Smooth. -   Color of lateral branches: Immature: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C with     flushing near RHS Greyed-Red 180B. -   Aspect: Straight, occurring at approximately 15° angle, -   Strength of lateral branches: Very strong, very flexible.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Average length.—Approximately 6 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 2.4 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Broad elliptic.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Attachment.—Stalked.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Highly glossy, glabrous.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, matte.         -   Leaf internode length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Greyed-Purple             185A. Young foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144A             with strong flushing near Greyed-Purple 184B. Mature foliage             upper side: Near RHS Green 135B. Mature foliage under side:             Near RHS Green 137B. Fall foliage upper side: Near RHS Green             135B with flushing Red-Purple 60B. Fall foliage under side:             Near RHS Green 137B with flushing Red-Purple 59A.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upperside: Near RHS             Green 143B. Venation color underside: Near RHS Green 143A.         -   Petiole.—Length: Approximately 0.2 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 0.2 cm. Texture: Smooth. Color upperside: Near             RHS Greyed-Purple 184A with flushing near Green 143C. Color             underside: Near RHS Green 143B with flushing near             Greyed-Purple 184B.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Winter to early Spring -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Urceolate racemes -   Quantity of flowers per raceme: Approximately 10 to 15 open flowers     and 10 to 15 buds per raceme. -   Diameter of raceme: Average approximately 12 cm -   Depth of raceme: Average approximately 8 cm -   Lastingness: Approximately 1 week. -   Fragrance: Not observed. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 64D. -   Flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.1 cm.         -   Corolla tube length.—Approximately 0.9 cm.         -   Aspect.—Drooping. -   Petals:     -   -   Quantity.—5.         -   Arrangement.—Fused.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Shape.—Completely fused, no individual shape.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Shiny.         -   Color.—When opening, outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 65A.             When opening, inner surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 65C. Fully             opened, outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 65D. Fully             opened, inner surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 65D. -   Calyx:     -   -   Sepal quantity.—5.         -   Arrangement.—Fused.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.2 cm.         -   Shape.—Deltoid.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Shiny.         -   Color.—When opening, outer surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 63B.             When opening, inner surface: Near RHS Red-Purple 63B. -   Pedicels:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.1 cm.         -   Strength.—Weak to moderate.         -   Texture.—Shiny.         -   Color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 63A. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 4 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Strength.—Moderate.         -   Texture.—Shiny.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C with flushing near RHS             Red-Purple 63B.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—Typically 10.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow 7C.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.3 cm. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.9 cm.         -   Style.—Length: Approximately 0.5 cm. Color: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 145B.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Narrowly conical. Color: Near RHS             Yellow-Green 153D. Ovary Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 145A. -   Fruit     -   -   Seasonal timing.—Approximately mid May in Central Florida.         -   Color.—Near RHS Purple N79A.         -   Diameter.—Average 1.2 cm. Other Characteristics of Fruit not             observed, variety is intended as a landscape plant, rather             than for the fruiting value.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Resistance to normal foliar diseases normal to     Vaccinium, have been observed in this variety. -   Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Low temperature     tolerance to approximately USDA Zone 4. Tolerates high temperature     extremely well, to at least 40° C. Some drought tolerance. Plants     can be allowed in dry soil for several days without damage. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Vaccinium plant named ‘CORABLUE’ as herein illustrated and described. 